Fiber indexing systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to systems and method for deploying a fiber optic network. Distribution devices are used to index fibers within the system to ensure that live fibers are provided at output locations throughout the system. In an example, fibers can be indexed in multiple directions within the system. In an example, spare ports can be providing in a forward direction and reverse direction ports can also be provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/214,458,filed Dec. 10, 2018, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.15/416,246, filed Jan. 26, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,151,897, whichapplication claims the benefit of provisional application Serial Nos.62/287,373, filed Jan. 26, 2016; 62/288,263, filed Jan. 28, 2016;62/338,962, filed May 19, 2016; and 62/420,663, filed Nov. 11, 2016,which applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment for fiber opticcommunications networks. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to the components of passive optical networks and methods fordeploying the same.

BACKGROUND

Passive optical networks are becoming prevalent in part because serviceproviders want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities tocustomers. Passive optical networks are a desirable choice fordelivering high-speed communication data because they may not employactive electronic devices, such as amplifiers and repeaters, between acentral office and a subscriber termination. The absence of activeelectronic devices may decrease network complexity and/or cost and mayincrease network reliability.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems managing, installingand expanding the capacity of an indexed fiber optic network. In certainexamples, the indexed fiber optic network is configured to accommodatenetwork expansion through the use of coarse wavelength divisionmultiplexers (CWDM) or dense wavelength division multiplexers (DWDM). Incertain examples, the system can include an indexed PON architecturewith a CWDM or DWDM overlay. In certain example, network management andport allocation can be accomplished at a fiber distribution hub. Exampleindexing architectures and components are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/285,949 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chart shown wavelength bands corresponding to differentoptical services;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example distributed optical networkincluding indexing components daisy-chained together and arranged in aloop so that service can be provide in a forward and reverse direction;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example central office configuration forproviding PON and CWDM overlaid service;

FIG. 4 schematically shows another example central office configurationfor providing PON and CWDM overlaid service;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a further example central officeconfiguration providing PON and CWDM overlaid service;

FIG. 6 schematically shows an example Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH)configuration for use in the network architecture of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example indexing component suitablefor use in the distributed optical network of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates another fiber optic networkarchitecture in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure, the architecture includes indexing components with internalsplitters feeding GPON access ports, and also including spare forwardfeed ports and reverse feed ports;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates one of the indexing components of FIG.7;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates another one of the indexing componentsof FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a Fiber Distribution Hub of thearchitecture of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a further network architecture inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure, thearchitecture includes indexing components daisy chained together withthe use of 24 fiber cable sand 24 fiber multi-fiberconnectors/connection locations;

FIG. 13 is an end view showing a fiber lay-out of a 24 fiber ferrule ofa 24 fiber optical connector;

FIG. 14 illustrates an indexing scheme suitable for use with indexingcomponents having 24 fiber optical connections;

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a further network architecture inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure, thearchitecture includes indexing components daisy chained together with 4fibers being dropped in forward direction and 4 fibers being dropped ina reverse direction at each indexing component;

FIG. 16 shows an indexing scheme for the indexing components of thearchitecture of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a central office configuration with PON splittingpositioned behind locations where extra wavelength signals are overlaidwith the PON signals via wavelength division multiplexers;

FIG. 18 shows still another architecture in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure where signals with differentwavelengths or ranges of wavelength are harvested at or near theindexing components via wavelength division multiplexers;

FIG. 19 shows an FDH suitable for use with the architecture of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates another network architecture inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure for supportinga multi-use access network having fiber indexing;

FIG. 21 illustrates still another network architecture in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure for supporting a multi-useaccess network having fiber indexing;

FIG. 22 illustrates a splitter mounting chassis adapted to be mountedwithin fiber distribution hubs used in network architectures inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates a splitter module adapted to mount within thesplitter chassis of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates a fan-out module adapted to fit within the splitterchassis of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 illustrates an example configuration for an indexing terminalfor use in supporting multi-use access networks;

FIG. 26 illustrates still another network architecture utilizing fiberindexing terminals;

FIG. 27 illustrates still a further network architecture in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure utilizing indexingterminals;

FIG. 28 illustrates an example configuration for a multi-use access andindexing terminal;

FIG. 29 illustrates an example device configured to function as a remotehub when incorporated within network architecture in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates another configuration suitable for use as a remotehub when incorporated into a network architecture in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 31 is a schematic depiction of an example WDM drop terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

FIG. 1 shows different wavelength bands corresponding to differentoptical network platforms. Generally, a traditional passive opticalnetwork (GPON) utilizes a 1310 nanometer wavelength within the O-bandand a 1490 nanometer wavelength in the S-band. A GPON network can alsohave a 1550 nanometer wavelength overlay from the C-band for video.Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to the use ofwavelength division multiplexing to expand wavelength availability forexisting or future GPON networks. In certain examples, certainwavelengths in the E-band can be utilized using coarse wavelengthdivision multiplexing (CWDM) and can be used to expand the capacity orprovide additional services on optical fibers designated for a GPONnetwork. Example wavelengths from the E-band can include 1350nanometers, 1370 nanometers, 1390 nanometers, 1410 nanometers, 1430nanometers and 1450 nanometers. In certain examples, the 1590 nanometerwavelength area could be broken down into a plurality (e.g., ten) ofdense wavelength division multiplexer (DWDM) channels.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fiber optic network architecture 20 in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure. It will be appreciatedthat the fiber optic network architecture 20 is suited for supporting aGPON network with certain CWDM or DWDM channels overlaid over the GPONchannels. For example, CWDM technology can be used to overlay a 1370nanometer wavelength, a 1390 nanometer wavelength, 1410 nanometerwavelength and a 1430 nanometer wavelength over standard GPONwavelengths such as 1310 nanometers and 1490 nanometers.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fiber optic network architecture 20 includes afiber distribution hub 22 that receives F1 cables 21 from a centrallocation such as a central office 23. An F1 cable is typically a cablelocated closer to the center of a fiber optic network while F2 cablesare generally closer to the edge of a fiber optic network. Each of theF1 cables 21 can include a plurality of F1 optical fibers 24. The fiberdistribution hub 22 can function as a distribution point for managingoptical connections between the F1 optical fibers 24 and optical fiberscorresponding to an F2 portion 26 of the fiber optic networkarchitecture 20. It will be appreciated that the fiber distribution hub22 can include a cabinet (i.e., a housing or enclosure) that containsoptical components such as passive optical splitters 28 and patch panels30. The fiber distribution hub 22 can also include multi-fiberconnection locations 32 a, 32 b that interface with the F2 portion 26 ofthe fiber optic network architecture 20. In certain examples, the F2portion 26 of the fiber optic network architecture 20 can include aplurality of indexing components 34 that are daisy-chained together andoptically connected in a loop with respect to the fiber distribution hub22. The loop can start at multi-fiber connection location 32 a andextend through the daisy-chain of indexing components 34 and then returnto the multi-fiber connection location 32 b to complete the loop. Themulti-fiber connection location 32 a can be referred to as a forwardfeed connection location and the multi-fiber connection location 32 bcan be referred to as a reverse feed connection location. Signals can beforward-fed from the fiber distribution hub 22 to the F2 portion 26 ofthe fiber optic network architecture 20 through the multi-fiberconnection location 32 a. Signals can be reverse-fed through the F2portion 26 of the fiber optic network architecture 20 through the fiberoptic connection location 32 b.

It will be appreciated that the multi-fiber connection locations 32 a,32 b can each include a multi-fiber ferrule supporting a plurality ofoptical fibers. The multi-fiber connection locations can be demateablein the same way fiber optic connectors re demateable. By way of example,each of the multi-fiber ferrules can support 12 fibers, 24 fibers, 36fibers, 48 fibers, 72 fibers, 96 fibers, 144 fibers, 288 fibers, orother numbers of optical fibers. It will be appreciated that themulti-fiber connection locations 32 a, 32 b can be provided on panels,bulkheads or other structures. In certain examples, the multi-fiberconnection locations include multi-fiber ferrules as indicated above. Incertain examples, multi-fiber ferrules can be incorporated as part ofnon-ruggedized fiber optic connectors such as MPO connectors. Thenon-ruggedized fiber optic connectors can be interconnected tomulti-fiber optical connectors corresponding to fiber optic distributioncables routed from the fiber distribution hubs by multi-fiber fiberoptic adapters that can be mounted in an organized way such as on abulkhead, on a panel, on a wall of the FDH cabinet, on sliding adapterpacks, or on other structures configured to provide relatively highdensity. In this type of configuration, cables connected to themulti-fiber connection locations 32 a, 32 b can be routed into the FDHthrough seals such that the fiber optic connectors are not required tobe ruggedized. In other examples, the multi-fiber connection locations32 a, 32 b can include multi-fiber ferrules mounted at ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports that are environmentally sealable and that can beaccessed from outside the fiber distribution hub without having toaccess the interior of the fiber distribution hub. It will beappreciated that the ruggedize multi-fiber ports can be arranged inarrays on a side of the FDH cabinet. In other examples, the ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports can be provided on ruggedized tethers routed outsideof the FDH cabinet through seals. In still other examples, theruggedized multi-fiber ports can be provided on bulkheads or otherstructures inside or outside the cabinet. Further, in certain examples,separate arrays, arrangements or groups of ruggedized multi-fiber portscan be provided corresponding to forward-feed applications andreverse-feed applications. In certain examples, the FDH can be equippedwith at least four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports. It will be appreciated that the ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports and ruggedized multi-fiber connectors that aredisclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,402; PCT Publication No. WO2014/190281;and PCT Publication No. WO2013/077969, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties, are examples ofruggedized multi-fiber ports and ruggedized multi-fiber optic connectorsmentioned throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an example configuration for the central office 23. Incertain examples, the central office 23 can include PON interfaces 36for supporting a GPON network, and additional wavelength interfaces 38for supporting additional wavelengths such as CWDM wavelengths (e.g.,1370 nanometers, 1390 nanometers, 1410 nanometers, 1430 nanometers, 1350nanometers, 1450 nanometers, and 1590 nanometers) or DWDM wavelengths.Signals supporting the standard GPON network are merged (i.e., overlaid)with the additional wavelength signals by wavelength divisionmultiplexers 40 such as CWDMs or DWDMs. The overlaid signals are mergedwith video signals at combiners 42 (e.g., 2×2 combiners) which combinethe signals and then split the combined signals into two F1 signals(each including PON, CWDM and video) that are transmitted through the F1optical fibers 24 to the fiber distribution hub 22.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative configuration for the central office 23. Inthis configuration, video has been eliminated and PON splitting has beenpositioned upstream from the wavelength division multiplexers 40. By notsplitting the signals with the additional wavelengths (e.g., the CWDMwavelengths) at the central office, the number of terminals that sharethe additional wavelength signals from the same source (i.e., the sameadditional wavelength interface 38) is reduced.

FIG. 5 shows still another configuration for the central office 23. Inthis configuration, the 2×2 combiners 42 have been replaced by 2×1combiners 42 a. In this way, the DWM signals from source 38 and the PONsignals from source 36 are not passively split at the central office 23.In this way, the ability to split can be forced or pushed farther outinto the network closer to the network edge. This allows each of thefibers 24 to support twice as many drops. Therefore, one way to retrofita system to increase the number of drops that can be supported byexisting fibers in the network is to replace 2×2 combiners at thecentral office with 2×1 combiners at the central office.

Referring to FIG. 6, the fiber distribution hub 22 is depicted includingthree passive optical power splitters 28 each being fed by one of the F1optical fibers 24. The passive optical splitters 28 are shown as being1×4 splitters. In other examples, passive optical splitters can include1×8 splitters, 1×16 splitters, 1×32 splitters, or splitters having othersplit ratios. The outputs of the optical splitters 28 are shownincluding connectorized pigtails 44 having ends terminated bysingle-fiber optical connectors 46 such as SC-type connectors, LC-typefiber optic connectors or other type of fiber optic connectors. Thefiber optic connectors 46 are installed (e.g., loaded, inserted) withinports of fiber optic adapters 48 provided at the patch panels 30. Itwill be appreciated that the fiber optic adapters 48 can be configuredfor optically connecting together two fiber optic connectors. A typicalfiber optic adapter 48 can include a ferrule alignment sleeve thatreceives and coaxially aligns the ferrules of two mated fiber opticconnectors so that light can be conveyed between optical fiberssupported within the ferrules.

Fiber harnesses can also be used to optically connect the multi-fiberconnection locations 32 a, 32 b to the outputs of the passive opticalsplitters 28 and/or directly to pass-through F1 optical fibers 24 at thepatch panels 30. The optical fiber harnesses can include optical fibers49 having first ends terminated at multi-fiber ferrules located at themulti-fiber connection locations 32 a, 32 b and second ends terminatedby single fiber optical connectors 50 installed in ports of the fiberoptic adapters 48 at the patch panels 30. It will be appreciated thatthe patch panels 30 function to optically couple the single-fiberoptical connectors 50 to the single-fiber optical connectors 46 of theconnectorized pigtails 44. The patch panels 30 can also function tooptically couple the single-fiber optical connectors 50 to F1 opticalfibers 24 connectorized by a single-fiber optical connectors 52.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the indexing components 34 can includeindexing components 34 a-341 daisy-chained together in series withcomponent 34 a being first in the chain and component 341 being last inthe chain when moving in a forward direction along the chain. It will beappreciated that the indexing components 34 a-341 have the same basicconfiguration except for different passive power split ratios areprovided. For example, each indexing component 34 a, 34 c, 34 e, 34 h,34 i, 34 j and 341 has an internal passive optical power splitter with asplit ratio of 1×8 so that each of such components is provided with 8GPON drop ports 35. Each indexing component 34 b, 34 d, 34 f, 34 g and34 k has an internal passive optical power splitter with a split ratioof 1×4 so that each of such components is provided with 4 GPON dropports 35. The GPON drop ports 35 can be ruggedized optical ports and caninclude fiber optic adapters configured to optically connect the outputsof the component optical splitters to ruggedized fiber optic connectorsmated with the ports 35. The ruggedized fiber optic connectors canterminate the ends of cables such as drop cables routed to subscriberlocations. The ruggedized connectors can mate in a sealed interface withthe ports 35 and can be secured within the ports by robust mechanicalconnection interfaces such as threaded connections or bayonet-typeconnections.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one of the indexing components 34 a.The indexing component 34 a includes a terminal housing 52 at which 8 ofthe GPON drop ports 35 (i.e., fiber optic adapter ports for receivingfiber optic connectors) are provided. The drop ports 35 are opticallycoupled to corresponding to outputs of a passive optical power splitter56 housed within the terminal housing 52. The GPON drop ports 35 areeach preferably ruggedized single-fiber fiber optic adapters configuredfor receiving and optically connecting with a ruggedized single-fiberfiber optic connector. Example configurations for the ruggedizedsingle-fiber fiber optic adapters as well as the ruggedized single-fiberfiber optic connector are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,288, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The ruggedized fiberoptic adapter ports are preferably carried with the terminal body 52.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the indexing component 34 a includes a firstmulti-fiber connection location 66 for providing multi-fiber opticalconnections. The first multi-fiber connection location 66 can also bereferred to as an upstream connection location since it is on theupstream side of the component when communications are moving in aforward direction through the component. The first multi-fiberconnection location 66 can be provided at the terminal 52.Alternatively, as depicted the first multi-fiber connection location 66can be provided by a multi-fiber fiber optic connector (e.g., an HMFOCas described below) mounted at the end of a fiber tether or stub 64having optical fibers routed into the terminal 52. The first multi-fiberfiber optic connection location 66 can include a multi-fiber ferrulesupporting ends of the plurality of optical fibers routed through thetether to the terminal 52. The indexing component 34 a also includes asecond multi-fiber connection location 60 for providing opticalconnections with a multi-fiber fiber optic connector. The secondmulti-fiber connection location 60 can also be referred to as adownstream connection location since it is on the downstream side of thecomponent when communications are moving in a forward direction throughthe component. The second multi-fiber connection location 60 can includea multi-fiber ferrule supporting the ends of optical fibers routed fromthe first multi-fiber connection location 66. The optical fibers can beindexed such that the ends of the optical fibers at the firstmulti-fiber connection location 66 are at different fiber positionswithin the ferrule as compared to the fiber positions of the oppositeends of the optical fibers within the ferrule of the second multi-fiberconnection location 60. In certain examples, the multi-fiber connectionlocation 60 is adapted to interface with a hardened multi-fiber fiberoptic connector (HMFOC) of the type disclosed by InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2014/039377, which is hereby incorporated byreference. The indexing component 34 a further includes a reverse-feeddrop port 62 optically coupled to one of the fiber positions of thefirst multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 60. The reverse-feeddrop port 62 can include a ruggedized single-fiber fiber optic adapterof the type described above.

As shown, the fiber optic connection location 66 includes a multi-fiberferrule supporting first ends of twelve optical fibers at 12 positionsnumbered 1-12. Similarly, the multi-fiber connection location 60includes a multi-fiber ferrule supporting second ends of eleven of thetwelve optical fibers at positions numbered 1-11. The optical fibercorresponding to position 1 of the fiber optic connector 66 is opticallyconnected to an input side of the optical splitter 56. The opticalfibers corresponding to positions 2-12 of the fiber optic connector 66are coupled respectively to positions 1-11 of the multi-fiber ferrule ofthe multi-fiber connection location 60. Thus, the optical fibers areindexed one position relative to one another. Fiber position 12 of themulti-fiber connection location 60 is optically coupled to thereverse-feed port 62.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the optical fibers connected through themulti-fiber connection location 32 a are adapted to provide GPON serviceto the ruggedized ports 35 of the terminals 52 of the indexingcomponents 34. In this configuration, fibers 1-12 of the multi-fiberconnection location 32 a respectively support terminals 34 a-341. Eachof the optical fibers supporting the terminals in the forward directioncan include GPON signals as well as the additional wavelength signals(e.g., CWDM signals). In certain examples, F1-fibers can pass un-splitthrough the FDH and can be used to provide service through themulti-fiber connection location 32 b to the reverse-feed ports 62 of theterminals. In certain examples, the F1 fibers coupled to the daisy-chainvia the multi-fiber connection location 32 b can provide up to 18 CDWMwavelengths per fiber to the reverse-feed ports 62. By plugging the F1fiber to the appropriate port on the patch panel 30, the reverse-feedport 62 of a selected terminal can be optically connected to the F1fiber directly. As shown at FIG. 5, the un-split pass-through F1 fiberis shown optically coupled to the 12th fiber of the reverse-feedmulti-fiber connection location 32 b. Thus, the F1 fiber is opticallyconnected to the reverse-feed port 62 of the last indexing component 341in the daisy-chain of indexing components 34.

FIG. 8 depicts a further fiber optic network architecture 120 inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The fiberoptic network architecture 120 can include a fiber distribution hub 22of the type described above that receives F1 optical fibers 24 from acentral office 23. As described above, the central office 23 can supportboth a traditional GPON network and can also provide a CWDM or DWDMoverlay. The fiber optic network architecture 120 can include an F2portion 126 that is similar to the F2 portion 26 in that a number ofindexing components 134 a-134 i have been daisy-chained together andconnected in a closed loop with respect to the fiber distribution hub22. In the F2 portion 126, a number of the indexing components 134 a,134 c, 134 e and 134 h have been configured so as to have spare portswhich are not coupled to the outputs of the component splitters. Suchspare ports are intended to be supported by a forward-feed from thefiber distribution hub and are intended to output signals that have notbeen optically power split within the F2 portion of the network (i.e.the signals have not been power split downstream of the FDH). Components134 b, 134 d, 134 f, 134 g and 134 i have the same structure as theindexing components with comparable split ratios disclosed with respectto the architecture 20 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 shows an example indexing component 134 a used in the F2 portion126 of the network architecture 120. Component 134 c has the samestructure as component 134 a and components 134 h has the same structureas component 134 a except for a reduced split ratio. The component 134 aof FIG. 8 includes a first multi-fiber connection location such as aninput tether 164 terminated by a hardened multi-fiber fiber opticconnector 166 having a multi-fiber ferrule. The multi-fiber ferrulesupports 12 fibers numbered 1-12. The indexing component 134 a furtherincludes a second multi-fiber connection location 160 having amulti-fiber ferrule supporting 12 fibers numbered 1-12. The tether 164is routed to a terminal housing and the multi-fiber connection location160 is provided at the terminal housing. The first fiber of the tether164 is routed to a passive optical splitter 156 whose outputs are routedto ruggedized single-fiber fiber optic adapter ports 135 (i.e., dropports such as GPON drop ports). The second fiber of the tether 164 isrouted to a spare drop port 157 that can be configured as a single-fiberruggedized fiber optic adapter port. Fibers 3-12 of the tether 164 arerespectively connected in an indexed fashion to positions 1-10 of themulti-fiber connection location 160. Positions 11 and 12 of themulti-fiber connection location 160 are optically connected toreverse-feed ports 162 a, 162 b each being configured as a ruggedizedfiber optic adapter port.

FIG. 10 shows an indexing component 134 e of the network architecture120 having a terminal with a single forward-feed port 257 and a singlereverse-feed port 262. The ports 257, 262 can be configured asruggedized fiber optic adapter ports. Fiber 1 of a forward-feed tetherof the component 134 e is optically coupled to the forward-feed port257. Fiber 12 of a multi-fiber connection location 260 of the component234 is shown optically coupled to the reverse-feed port 262. Fibers 2-12of the forward-feed tether are connected in indexed fashion to positions1-11 of the multi-fiber connection location 260.

With the fiber optic network architecture 120 of FIG. 8, the spare ports157, 257 provide means for supplying selected terminals with up to 18CWDM channels per spare drop port from an F1 fiber in a forwarddirection. This can be achieved by plugging the F1 fiber into theappropriate patch panel port such that the F1 fiber is connected to thefiber line corresponding to the particular spare terminal port. Forexample, as shown at FIG. 10, F1 fibers 9, 11 have been coupled to fiber1 and 11 of the multi-fiber connection location 32 a which correspond tothe spare ports 157 of components 134 a, 134 h. The multiplereverse-feed ports allow multiple F1 fibers to be coupled to aparticular terminal in a reverse-feed direction. In this way, multiplecustomers or subscribers adjacent to the terminal can be provided withup to 18 CWDM channels per reverse-feed port from the reverse-feed. FIG.11 shows a F1 fiber 13 coupled to the reverse feed port 162 of component134 i.

It will be appreciated that an extra F1 fiber typically be used for eachspare port activated and for each reverse-feed port activated. A mappingscheme can be utilized to record the port layout of the F2 portion 126such that each adapter port in the FDH is assigned to a correspondingport or ports of the F2 portion 126. In this way, service can beadministered at the FDH by plugging the splitter outputs and the F1fibers into the appropriate ports provided at the patch panels.

FIG. 12 shows another network architecture 320 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. The network architecture of FIG.12 is similar to the network architecture of FIG. 7 except thatmulti-fiber connectors and multi-fiber cables having 24 fibers have beenutilized so as to provide additional fibers to the daisy chain ofindexing components. FIG. 13 shows a typical fiber positioning layoutfor a 24-fiber ferrule 600. In one example, when using 24 fiberconnectors to support a network architecture having cascaded indexingcomponents, up to 12 fibers can be used for GPON and the remaining 12optical fibers can be used as spare fibers to provide other services asneeded. To reduce loss on the GPON fibers it is possible to takeadvantage of the natural lower loss on center fibers in a 24-fiber MPOconnector. For example, the 12 centermost fibers (e.g., fibers 4-9 and16-21) can be used as a first indexing subset to provide support forGPON services, while the outer optical fibers (positions 1-3, 10-12,13-15 and 22-24) can provide a second indexing subset that supports thespare ports. FIG. 14 shows an indexing device 602 having two separatesubsets of fibers that are routed between two twenty-four fiber ferrules600. As shown at FIG. 14, fiber 4 is dropped to a GPON port in a forwarddirection and fiber 21 is dropped to a GPON port in a reverse direction.Also, fibers 5-9 are indexed to positions 4-8, respectively, and fibers16-21 are indexed to positions 9 and 16-20, respectively. Thus fibers4-9 and 16-21 are treated as a separate, independent indexing subsetfrom the remaining 12 fibers (fibers 1-3, 10-12, 13-15 and 22-24) of themulti-fiber connector.

Still referring to FIG. 14, the second subset of index fibers includesfibers 1-3, fibers 10-12, fibers 13-15 and fibers 22-24. From thissubset, fiber 1 is dropped to a forward spare port and fiber 24 isdropped to a reverse spare port. Fibers 2 and 3 are indexed to positions1 and 2. Fiber 10 is indexed to position 3. Fibers 11-15 are indexed topositions 10-14. Fiber 22 is indexed to position 15. And fibers 23 and24 are indexed to positions 22 and 23.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show another architecture 720 utilizing 24-fiber cablesand 24-fiber fiber optic connection points. In this architecture,indexing components 734 are used that drop 4 fibers in a forwarddirection and 4 fibers in a reverse direction at each of the components.For example, as shown in FIG. 16, from a forward to a reverse direction,fibers 1-4 are dropped to ports 1-4. Also, fibers 5-24 are indexed topositions 1-20. Additionally, in a reverse direction positions 21-24 aredropped to ports 21-24.

In certain examples, it is desired to push splitting back to the centraloffice in order to increase the number of fibers from the central officewith the capability of providing other services along with PON. Incertain examples, video overlay can be eliminated. As shown at FIG. 17,PON service is split prior to merging the PON service with additionalwavelengths. For example, an optical splitter 500 is positioned upstreamfrom the wavelength division multiplexers used to merge the PON signalswith signals having additional wavelengths. In certain examples, thesplitter can include a 1×2 splitter, a 1×4 splitter, a 1×8 splitter, a1×16 splitter, a 1×32 splitter. Output sides of the CWDMs can beconnected to fiber distribution hubs via F1 optical fibers.

FIG. 18 shows still another architecture 520 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. The architecture uses the same F2portion as the architecture 120. In the architecture of FIG. 17, thecentral office provides PON signals and signals carrying 18 CWDMchannels on separate F1 fibers to an FDH. In certain examples, passiveoptical splitter can be used to passively split the 18 CWDM channels atthe FDH. Similarly, passive optical splitters can be used to passivelysplit the PON signals at the FDH. As described above with respect toother FDHs, patch panels can be provided within the FDHs to allow formanagement of the services provided within the F2 portion of thearchitecture. As described above, through port mapping, ports at thepatch panels can be used to connect the PON signals or the 18 CWDMsignals to desired ports within the F2 portion of the network. Incertain examples, the 18 CWDM signals can be directed to particularreverse-feed ports or spare forward-feed ports provided at the indexingcomponents. In certain examples, wavelength division multiplexers 500such as CWDMs or DWDMs can be used at or near the indexing components toharvest particular wavelengths from the 18 CWDM channels/signalsprovided to the sport drop ports or the reverse feed ports so thatparticular sub scribers can be provided with access to particularwavelengths harvested by the wavelength division multiplexers. Theindexing components can have the same structures described above withrespect to the other architectures.

FIG. 19 shows an example FDH 501 for the architecture of FIG. 18.

The FDH includes an optical power splitter 502 that splits a signal froman F1 fiber 503 carrying 18 CWDM channels. The outputs of the splitter502 are coupled to patch panel adapter ports corresponding to selectedspare ports and reverse feed ports (e.g., port 157 of component 134 a;port 62 of component 134 d; port 257 of component 134 e and port 62 ofcomponent 134 i). By using the harvesting CWDM's 500 to filter thesignals routed from the ports to subscribers, each subscriber can beprovide with signals having different wavelengths or wavelength bands.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to architectures that cansupport multiple uses/services in the field and that incorporateindexing technology. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate toindexing architectures where multiple indexing terminals are daisychained together with some optical fibers being dropped at one or moreof the terminals and with the remainders of the optical fibers beingindexed to different fiber ferrule positions as the optical fibersextend from multi-fiber ferrule to multi-fiber ferrule. It will beappreciated that the multi-fiber ferrules can be provided on tethers ofthe indexing terminals, on ruggedized multi-fiber fiber optic connectors(e.g., HMFOC's), on non-ruggedized multi-fiber connectors, and atruggedized multi-fiber connector ports. In certain aspects of thepresent disclosure, different types of indexing terminals can be daisychained together. The indexing terminals daisy chained along a singlechain can include indexing terminals having different drop rates fromone terminal to the next. Certain of the terminals can include bothforward and reverse fiber drops.

In certain examples, the fibers dropped at the indexing terminal can becoupled to multi-fiber ferrules or single-fiber ferrules to provideconnection locations for allowing the dropped optical fibers to becoupled to drop components (e.g., point-to-point drop cables, passivepower splitter drop terminals, WDM drop terminals, etc.). In certainexamples, the forward and reverse dropped fibers can be coupled toruggedized single-fiber ports or to ruggedized multi-fiber ports. Incertain examples, the forward and reverse dropped fibers can be coupledto non-ruggedized single-fiber connectors (e.g., LC or SC) or tonon-ruggedized multi-fiber connectors (e.g., MPO). In certain examples,the forward and reverse dropped fibers can be coupled to ruggedizedsingle-fiber connectors or to ruggedized multi-fiber connectors. Inother examples, the forward dropped fibers can be routed to single-fiberruggedized ports while the reverse dropped fibers can be routed to atleast one ruggedized multi-fiber port or ruggedized multi-fiberconnector (e.g., HMFOC connector or HMFOC port).

For a twelve-fiber indexing terminal it will be appreciated thattypically at least one, two, three or four optical fibers will bedropped at the indexing terminal while the remainder will be indexed.Generally, it will be preferred for 2-4 optical fibers to be droppedwhile the remainder of the optical fibers will be indexed. To support amulti-use access network, a relatively large number of the feeder fibersdirected to the fiber distribution hub will be dedicated forpass-through applications such as direct drops, special services,distributed antenna support, or other applications. In certain examples,at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or atleast 80% of the total feeder fibers provided to the fiber distributionhub will be dedicated to and used for pass-through applications. Theremainder of the feeder fibers may be passively split at the fiberdistribution hub.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a multi-use access networkdesigned such that one network can serve a large number of uses. Exampleuses include residential PON services, fiber to the distribution point,fiber to the antenna, fiber to the small cell, metro Ethernet, or otherapplications. It is desirable for the network to be relatively simple,flexible, scalable and efficient. In certain examples, the multi-useaccess network can have a feeder network that is easily upgradeable, adistribution network that is designed to enhance flexibility and a dropnetwork capable of providing a large number of drops for supporting manydifferent services.

For twenty-four fiber indexing terminals it will be appreciated thatlarger numbers of optical fibers will likely be dropped. For example,for a twenty-four fiber indexing terminal two to eight fibers may bedropped while the remainder are indexed from multi-fiber ferrule tomulti-fiber ferrule. In certain twenty-four fiber indexing terminals atleast four, or at least five, or at least six, or at least seven, or atleast eight optical fibers may be dropped in one direction at theindexing terminal while the remainder of the optical fibers are indexedfrom one multi-fiber ferrule to another. As used herein, “dropped in onedirection” means dropped in a forward direction or dropped in a rearwarddirection. In a typical 12-fiber indexing terminal, 2-4 fibers can bedropped in a forward direction and 2-4 fibers can be dropped in arearward direction. In certain 12-fiber indexing terminals, at leasttwo, or at least three, or at least four optical fibers can be droppedin a forward direction and at least two, or at least three, or at leastfour optical fibers can be dropped in a rearward direction. In oneexample, the optical fibers dropped in the forward direction are routedto single-fiber connection locations (e.g., single-fiber ferrules,single-fiber ruggedized connector ports, singe-fiber connectors,single-fiber ruggedized connectors) and the optical fibers dropped inthe reverse direction are routed to a multi-fiber connection location(e.g., a multi-ferrule, a ruggedized multi-fiber connector port, aruggedized multi-fiber connector, a non-ruggedized fiber opticconnector, etc.).

The optical fibers dropped in a forward direction can be routed to asplice location, a single fiber ferrule, a multi-fiber ferrule, aruggedized single fiber connector, a ruggedized multi-fiber connectors,a non-ruggedized single fiber connector, a non-ruggedized multi-fiberconnector, a ruggedized single fiber connector port or a ruggedizedmulti-fiber connector port. Similarly, the optical fibers dropped in thereverse direction can be routed to a splice location, to single fiberferrules, to multi-fiber ferrules, to ruggedized single fiberconnectors, to ruggedized multi-fiber connectors, to non-ruggedizedsingle fiber connectors, to non-ruggedized multi-fiber connectors, toruggedized single fiber ports or to ruggedized multi-fiber ports.

FIG. 20 shows an architecture 600 in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure for supporting multiple applications. Thearchitecture 600 includes a drop terminal 602 having a patch panel 604.The patch panel 604 can include a plurality of fiber optic adapters aspreviously described herein. One side of the patch panel 604 can beoptically coupled to a multi-fiber ferrule 606 that may be incorporatedwithin a ruggedized port accessible from outside the cabinet of thefiber distribution hub 602. The optical connection between the patchpanel 604 and the ruggedized port can be provided by a module 608 havingsingle fiber connectors 610 at one end and the multi-fiber ferrule 606at an opposite end. Optical fibers can be routed through a modulehousing to optically connect the single-fiber optical connectors 610 tothe multi-fiber ferrule 606. The single-fiber connectors 610 can beinserted into ports of adapters provided at the patch panel 604.

The fiber distribution hub 602 also includes passive optical powersplitters and may further include wavelength division multiplexers. Incertain examples, passive optical power splitters having different splitratios can be provided within the cabinet of the fiber distribution hub602 at the same time. As depicted, the passive optical power splitterscan include a 1:8 splitter and a 1:4 splitter. For ease of illustration,only two splitters are shown. In actual practice, a large number ofsplitters may be provided within the cabinet of the FDH 602.Additionally, while only 1:4 and 1:8 splitters have been shown,splitters having other split ratios could also be included within thefiber distribution hub 602 along with the 1:4 splitters and the 1:8splitters. For example, the fiber distribution hub 602 could alsoinclude 1:16 splitters, 1:32 splitters, and 1:64 splitters.

The splitter 612 includes eight output pigtails 617 that each preferablyhave a connectorized end 616. Six of the connectorized pigtails areshown plugged into ports of adapters at the patch panel 604. The otherconnectorized pigtails are shown stored at a parking location 618.

The splitter 614 includes four output pigtails 620 having connectorizedends 621. Two of the pigtails 620 are stored at parking 618 while theother two pigtails 620 are plugged into adapter ports at the patch panel604.

A plurality of pass-through fibers 622 are also shown routed into thecabinet of the fiber distribution hub 602. The pass-through fiber 622can have connectorized ends 623. Some of the pass-through fibers 622 areplugged into adapter ports at the patch panel 604 while the remainderare stored at parking 618. In certain examples of the presentdisclosure, at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of the totalnumber of feeder fibers managed by the fiber distribution hub 602 arepass-through fibers. The large percentage of pass-through fibers allowsthe fiber distribution hub 602 to readily support a variety of servicesand applications that may require direct point-to-point drop service.

Still referring to FIG. 20, the architecture 600 includes a distributionnetwork 630 that may include one or more chains of indexing terminals632. The indexing terminal 632 includes a tether 634 containingplurality of fibers (e.g., a 12-fiber ribbon). A multi-fiber connector636 (e.g., an HMFOC connector) is mounted at a free end of the tether.At the terminal 632, three optical fibers are dropped in the forwarddirection and three optical fibers are dropped in the reverse direction.The optical fibers can be routed to drop ports provided on a housing ofthe terminal 632. In certain examples, the drop ports can be ruggedized.In certain examples, the drop ports can support single fiber ormulti-fiber connectivity. The optical fibers not dropped in a forwarddirection are indexed in position from the multi fiber ferule of theruggedized connector 636 to another multi-fiber ferrule provided at aruggedized port 640 (e.g., an HMFOC port) provided on the housing of theterminal 632. The ruggedized port 640 provides a means for coupling theterminal 632 to subsequent indexing terminal so as to form a daisy chainthat extends the distribution network.

Referring still to FIG. 20, the indexing terminal 632 is configured tosupport a variety of services. Such support is provided by coupling adrop network 642 to the indexing terminal 632 via the drop ports. Asdepicted, the drop network includes a GPON drop terminal 644 coupled toport 646 of the forward feed drop ports, a point-to-point drop line 648routed from port 650 of the forward feed ports to a multi-dwelling unitor business, and a WDM drop terminal 652 coupled to port 654 of theforward feed ports. The GPON drop terminal 644 is configured to supportresidential PON services. In certain examples, the GPON drop terminal644 can be configured to split the optical signal received from theindexing terminal to a plurality of PON drop ports which can beruggedized single-fiber drop ports. Drop lines 658 can be routed fromthe drop ports 656 to the residences. The WDM drop terminal 652 can beused to support fiber to the antenna applications such as distributedantenna systems.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the WDM drop terminal 652. The WDM dropterminal 652 includes a housing 660 containing a wavelength divisionmultiplexer 662 (e.g., a DWDM or a CWDM). The wavelength divisionmultiplexer 662 splits the optical signal received from the drop port654 into a plurality of outputs 664 a-664 d each having a differentwavelength or range of wavelengths. The outputs 664 a-664 d extend fromthe wavelength division multiplexer 662 to separate drop ports 666. Droplines 668 can be used to optically couple the port 666 to a radio heador other structure on the antenna.

It will be appreciated that providing optical splitters having differentsplit ratios within the fiber distribution hub 602 allows the fiberdistribution hub 602 to support drop terminals having different splitratios at the outer edge of the network architecture. In one example, itmay be desirable to provide a one by thirty-two split ratio. Thus, thepassive optical splitter 612 (i.e., the 1:8 splitter) is shown coupledto the GPON drop terminal 644 which has a 1:4 split ratio. Thus, thetotal split ratio including both splitters is 1:32. If a downstreamapplication requires a drop terminal with a 1:8 split ratio, such a dropterminal can be coupled to the optical splitter 614 having the 1:4 splitratio. Additionally, as the neighborhood grows, it may be desirable toswitch the 1:4 GPON drop terminal 644 with a 1:8 drop terminal. If thisreplacement occurs, to maintain the 1:32 split ratio, the 1:8 splitter612 can be disconnected from port 1 of the patch panel 604 and one ofthe output pigtails of the 1:4 splitter 614 can be plugged into the port1. The unused output from the 1:8 splitters 612 can be stored in parking618. Similarly, certain services assigned to certain drop ports of theindexing terminal 632 may change over time and require differentservices or split ratios. When this occurs, the service changes can bemanaged at the patch panel 604.

In certain applications, intelligence can be incorporated into allphases of the network to assist in network management. For example,sensors, RFID chips, or other identifiers can be associated with each ofthe different drop components of the drop network. When a given dropcomponent is plugged into a drop port of the indexing terminal 632, theindexing terminal can recognize the type of component or connected andcan forward this information to a central controller that alsointerfaces with the fiber distribution hub 602. Communication betweenthe central controller, the terminal 632 and the distribution hub 602can be wireless or wired. The fiber distribution hub 602 can alsoinclude intelligence at the panel 604 that senses the type of equipmentplugged into each of the ports. This information is relayed back to thecentral controller. The central controller can include managementsoftware that manages the data to ensure that each drop component isoptically connected to a compatible signal source at the fiberdistribution hub. If there is an inconsistency between the drop terminaland the signal source at the fiber distribution hub, an alert can begenerated. The alert may generate a work order for a technician to visitthe fiber distribution hub and make the change. In certain examples, thepatch panel may have indicators (e.g., indicator lights) that assist thetechnician in identifying necessary modifications.

In other systems, a field technician can use a smart device such as atablet or phone to read a barcode, or RFID tag or other identifier oneach of the drop components being installed. Via the smart device, thetechnician can associate each of the drop components to a correspondingport on the terminal 632. Once the technician has collected thisinformation, the information can be sent to a central controller whichrecords and manages the data. Similar data relating to the type of inputsignals provided to each signal line can be collected from the FDH in asimilar manner and provided to the central controller.

FIG. 21 shows an alternative fiber distribution hub 602 a used tosupport the same architecture described with respect to FIG. 20. In thefiber distribution hub 602 a, the 1:8 splitter 612, the 1:4 splitter 614and the pass-through fibers 622 all interface with an automatic fibermanagement system 680 of the type described at U.S. Pat. No. 8,755,688,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The automaticfiber management system 680 automatically connects certain outputs ofthe splitters 612, the splitter 614 or the pass-through fiber 622 tocertain fiber positions in multi-fiber ferrules 682 provided at amulti-fiber ferrule output location. In using an intelligent system ofthe type described above, the AMF 680 automatically connects theappropriate signal source to the appropriate port/fiber position basedon the type of drop component coupled to the indexing terminal 632.Similarly, in the event a drop component is changed in the field, thischange can be recognized and the ATM 680 can automatically switch theinput source to one compatible with the new drop component.

For fiber distribution hubs in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure, it is desirable to provide a high density ofconnections per volume of the cabinet of the fiber distribution hub. Toassist in enhancing fiber density, splitters (e.g., splitters 612 and614) can be mounted in protective modules that are densely loaded withina splitter chassis can be mounted within the FDH. In this way, splittersare protected and occupy a minimum amount of space. An example of thistype of configuration is shown at FIG. 22. Specifically, FIG. 22 shows asplitter chassis 700 that hold a plurality of splitter modules 702. Asshown at FIG. 23, each of the modules 702 includes a housing 704enclosing a passive optical splitter 706. The splitter module 702includes a plurality of connectorized pigtails 708 optically coupled tothe output side of the splitter 706. Further details about the splittermodule 702 and the chassis 700 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,442,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

For many applications, the chassis 700 is only partially filled withoptical splitter modules 702. Thus, the chassis 700 defines excess spacethat can be used for other applications. As indicated above, multi-useaccess networks in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure generate an increased need for pass-through fibers. Thus,there is a need to efficiently add a relatively large number of feederfibers to an FDH without greatly impacting the overall fiber density ofthe FDH. In this regard, it is possible to integrate a fan-out deviceinto a module that is compatible with the splitter chassis 700. Thus,the fan-out module is installed in the splitter chassis along withsplitter modules and occupies space that would otherwise be empty. Incertain examples, the fan-out can include at least sixteen fibers, atleast thirty-two fibers, or at least sixty-four fibers.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example fan-out module 720 adapted to fit withinthe chassis 700. The fan-out module can include a module housing 722having the same overall shape as the housing 704 of the splitter module702. The housing can include a first end 724 having a tapered boot 726and a second end 728 formed by a rounded projection 730. A notch 732 isdefined by the projection 730 and an upward wall 734. The upward wallincludes a pass-through fitting 736 that allows a plurality of opticalfiber ribbons 738 to enter the module housing 722. The fiber ribbons 738each including a plurality of feeder fibers optically connected to thecentral office or other central location. The ribbons 738 enter thefan-out housing 722 and are fanned out into individual fibers. Theseparated fibers (i.e., the fanned-out fibers) are directed intoup-jacketing structures (e.g., cable jackets or buffer tubes) and aredirected out of the module housing 722 through the boot 726. The upjacketed fibers exiting the housing 722 form pigtails that can beconnectorized by single-fiber connectors. In addition to up-jacketing,the pigtails can include strength members such as Kevlar. The strengthmembers can be anchored to anchoring structures within the modulehousing 722. It will be appreciated that the up jacketing and anchoringcan be the same as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,442. In the depictedexample, the fan-out module is a 32-fiber fan-out.

FIG. 25 is another view of the indexing terminal 632 described withrespect to FIGS. 20 and 21. As indicated above, the indexing terminal632 has forward feed ports 646, 650 and 654 that provide accesslocations for supporting a variety of services. The terminal 632 alsoincludes three reverse feed ports 690, 691 and 692.

FIG. 26 shows another network architecture 750 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. The network architecture 750includes a fiber distribution hub 752 which can include structure of thetype previously described herein. The hub 752 interfaces with a centraloffice 754 or other more central location. The hub 752 can include amulti-fiber ferrule interface location that may include outsideaccessible, ruggedized multi-fiber ports 753 adapted for mating withruggedized-fiber connectors (e.g., connector 636). The architecture 750also includes a plurality of chains of the indexing terminals 632. Theindexing terminals 632 form first and second forward feeds 758, 760 thatare coupled directly to the main hub 752 at the interface 755. Thearchitecture 750 also includes a remote hub 770. The remote hub 770includes a plurality of multi-fiber ferrule connection locations 772. Ina preferred example, multi-fiber ferrule connection locations includeruggedized multi-fiber ferrule ports adapted for receiving ruggedizedmulti-fiber connectors. A multi-fiber cable 774 extends directly fromthe main hub 752 to the remote hub 770. The fibers of the cable 774 canbe coupled to feeder fibers from the central office 754 at the main hub752. Such optical connections can be made by optical splices,single-fiber connectorized connections, multi-fiber connectorizedconnections, or ruggedized multi-fiber connectorized connections.

The remote hub provides a remote or satellite location for providingreverse feed to at least one of daisy chains of indexing terminals 632.For example, a patch cord 776 is shown providing reverse feed to thedaisy chain 760. The patch cord 776 has ruggedized multi-fiberconnectors 636 at each end. One of the connectors 636 is opticallycoupled to one of the ports 772. The other connector 636 is coupled tothe ruggedized port 640 of the last indexing terminal 632 of the chain.Use of a remote hub allows reverse feed to be provided to a daisy chainof indexing terminals without requiring the daisy chain of indexingterminal to itself loop all the way back to the main hub 752.Additionally, it is also possible to forward feed one, two or more daisychains of indexing terminals 632 from the remote hub 770. For example,chain 778 is forward fed from the remote hub 770. All of the opticalfibers of the architecture either passed through or split at the mainhub location before being directed to the remote hub or out on a forwardfeed of daisy chained indexing terminals. The remote hub allows multiplechains to extend out from one common point that is remote from the mainhub.

It will be appreciated that the remote hub 770 can have a variety ofconfigurations. In certain examples, the hub can include a relativelyrigid plastic housing on which one or more ruggedized multi-fiber portsare provided (e.g., molded in). In other examples, ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports or ruggedized multi-fiber connectors can be providedon tethers that branch out from a main cable at one end of the cable orat both ends of the cable. In still other examples, the remote hub caninclude a sealed closure in which cables are routed into the closurethrough sealing units and optical connections of various types (e.g.,splices, non-ruggedized connectorized connections, etc.) can be madeinside the sealed enclosure.

FIG. 27 shows a modified architecture 750 a having the main hub 752 andthe terminal chains 758, 760 and 778. The architecture 750 a has amodified remote hub 770 a having a housing 771 at which ruggedizedmulti-fiber ports 772 are provided. The remote hub 770 a includes atether 774 a defined by a plurality of cables 775 each having one endinterfacing with the remote hub 770 a and an opposite end terminated bya ruggedized multi-fiber connector 636. The ruggedized multi-fiberconnectors 636 interface with the main hub 752 through the multi-fiberconnector interface 755. A binding structure 777 holds the cables 775together for a majority of the length of the tether 774 a. The bindingstructure 777 can include a sheath, a cable jacket, winding or otherstructure.

FIG. 30 shows an example configuration for the remote hub 770 a. Asshown at FIG. 30, HMFOC input connectors 636 are provided at the freeend of the tether 774 a. The other end of the tether enters the housing771. The housing 771 includes a plurality of angled faces which eachHMFOC output adapters 772 are mounted.

FIG. 29 shows an alternative remote hub 770 b that does not utilize arigid housing. Instead, the hub 770 b is shown as a cable arrangementhaving a central section made of flexible cable and end sections formedby independently movable tethers each terminated by an HMFOC connector636. It will be appreciated that the hub can be formed by three separatecables that are secured together in a center flexible section by aflexible sheath or jacket. The ends of the cable are not jacketedtogether so as to be independently movable relative to one another.Thus, the ends of the sheathing function to define a fan-out location.

FIG. 28 shows another configuration that can be used for a multi-accessterminal. The multi-access terminal includes a housing 800 including aplurality of mounting faces 802 arranged in a stepped configuration. Atether 804 enters the housing 800 through a rear end 806 of the housing800. The entrance location can be sealed by a sealing element such as aheat-shrink sleeve 808. A free end of the tether 804 can be terminatedby a ruggedized multi-fiber connector such as an HMFOC connector 636. Incertain examples, tether 804 includes twelve fibers. In certainexamples, eight to ten of the optical fibers are routed in an indexedmanner from a multi-fiber ferrule of the connector 636 to a multi-fiberferrule located at a ruggedized connector port 810 provided on themounting face closest to the rear end 806 of the housing 800. Fiberpositions of the multi-fiber ferrule located at the ruggedized port 810that are not filled with indexed fibers are optically connected to amulti-fiber ferrule located at a ruggedized port 812 positioned on thesecond face away from the end 806 of the housing 800. It will beappreciated that the port 810 is configured for connecting to the nextindexing terminal in a daisy chain while the port 812 is adapted forreverse feed applications. In certain examples, two to four fibers fromthe tether 804 can be dropped and routed to single-fiber ruggedizedports 814, 816 provided on the next two faces of the housing 800. Itwill be appreciated that example ruggedized single-fiber connector portsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,590, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeexamples set forth herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. A cable assembly comprising: a first multi-fiberoptical connection location; a second multi-fiber optical connectionlocation; and a plurality of optical fibers having first ends disposedat the first multi-fiber optical connection, the optical fibersincluding a first drop fiber, a second drop fiber, and a plurality ofindexed fibers, the first drop fiber having a second end that isterminated at a first single-fiber adapter port, the second drop fiberbeing input into a passive optical splitter, and the indexed fibershaving second ends terminated at the second multi-fiber opticalconnection location, the passive optical splitter having outputsterminated at respective ones of a plurality of second single-fiberadapter ports.
 3. The cable assembly of claim 2, further comprising afirst reverse drop fiber having a first end disposed at the secondmulti-fiber optical connection location and a second end terminated at athird single-fiber adapter port.
 4. The cable assembly of claim 3,further comprising a second reverse drop fiber having a first enddisposed at the second multi-fiber optical connection location and asecond end terminated at a fourth single-fiber adapter port.
 5. Thecable assembly of claim 2, further comprising a terminal housing atwhich the first and second single-fiber adapter ports are disposed. 6.The cable assembly of claim 5, wherein the second multi-fiber opticalconnection location is disposed at the terminal housing.
 7. The cableassembly of claim 5, wherein the optical fibers form a tether cable thatextends from the terminal housing.
 8. The cable assembly of claim 7,wherein the first multi-fiber optical connection location includes afirst multi-fiber connector having a first multi-fiber ferrule.
 9. Thecable assembly of claim 2, wherein the first multi-fiber opticalconnection location includes a first multi-fiber connector having afirst multi-fiber ferrule.
 10. The cable assembly of claim 9, whereinthe multi-fiber connector is a ruggedized multi-fiber connector.
 11. Thecable assembly of claim 9, wherein the second multi-fiber opticalconnection location includes a second multi-fiber connector having asecond multi-fiber ferrule.
 12. The cable assembly of claim 11, whereinthe multi-fiber connector is a ruggedized multi-fiber connector.
 13. Thecable assembly of claim 2, wherein the first multi-fiber opticalconnection location is optically coupled to a fiber distribution hubholding a fan-out module within a splitter module chassis.
 14. A cableassembly comprising: a terminal housing; a first multi-fiber opticalconnection location; a second multi-fiber optical connection location;and a plurality of optical fibers indexed between the first and secondmulti-fiber optical connection locations to form an indexed cableassembly; a first drop fiber carrying signals from the indexed cableassembly to an input of an optical power splitter having a plurality ofoutputs; and a second drop fiber carrying un-split signals from theindexed cable assembly to a single-fiber drop port.
 15. The cableassembly of claim 14, wherein the first drop fiber extends from thefirst multi-fiber optical connection location.
 16. The cable assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the second drop fiber extends from the firstmulti-fiber optical connection location.
 17. The cable assembly of claim15, wherein the second drop fiber extends from the second multi-fiberoptical connection location so that the single-fiber drop port includesa reverse-feed drop port.
 18. The cable assembly of claim 14, furthercomprising a terminal housing in which the optical power splitter isdisposed.
 19. The cable assembly of claim 18, wherein the terminalhousing includes a plurality of ruggedized ports that receive theoutputs of the optical power splitter.
 20. The cable assembly of claim14, wherein the first multi-fiber optical connection location isoptically coupled to a fiber distribution hub holding a fan-out modulewithin a splitter module chassis.
 21. The cable assembly of claim 20,wherein the fan-out module includes a single tapered boot through whichseparated fibers extend from the fan-out module.